Day 24

I'm thankful for naptime.

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Day 21

Today, I am thankful for a four day weekend.

Very thankful.

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Day 20

I don't have a photo for this one, so just insert your own mental photo :)

I'm thankful for friendship.

Everyone needs friends who support you unconditionally, who have your back, who cheer you on, and make you laugh even when you're a hysterical mess from stress. We have various backgrounds and perspectives and views, but also we all have each other.

I know it's been said, but I love all you crazy ladies!

Thank you for being there.

Monday randomness

I don't like egg nog.

I make a good salad. Today's consisted of spring mix, sprouts, sliced cucumber, pomegranate, and mandarine oranges, all topped with balsamic vinaigrette. Yum.

Turns out I make good hummus, too.

Peppermint mocha Coffeemate is amazing.

The frosting recipe on Pinterest called "That's the best frosting Ive ever tasted!" is misnamed. Either that or the writer needs to try more frosting. It was "meh" at best. Great consistency, though!

The countdown to the Doctor Who Christmas special makes me excited every day, until I realize that it's also the countdown to Christmas itself, then I panic. It's 60 today! While I love these temperatures, I cannot get into the holiday spirit when it's this nice out.

I think I'm more excited about my upcoming four day weekend than the holiday itself. I'm so tired lately.

Today we're getting new windows in our house. My husband is texting me photos of each window as it's completed, and I am loving it. I can't wait to get home and see them in person. Our old windows were horrible. Four of them wouldn't stay up by themselves, and one was duct-taped together to keep it where it belonged. Not kidding.

Last month we had new insulation put in our attic space. Instead of fiberglass that needs to be replaced periodically, we went with a radiant barrier insulation. Over the weekend we got our first electric bill with the insulation. It was around $100 less than the past few months. After the windows are complete, we're anticipating our bill will be half what it had been.

Day 19

I'm thankful for bedtime stories.

This book is one of Sophie's current favorites. We read it every night. She calls it the "Find sheep book" and delights in pointing out all of Bo Peep's wandering sheep each time we read it. There are other nursery rhymes also.

Last night, she was going to bed late. We were busy, trying to finish last-minute weekend things like getting the laundry put away. When she started wandering the house crying I realized how late it was & scooped her up for bed. Since it was way past her bedtime and she could barely keep her eyes open, I told her we would only read one book instead
of the usual two. I chose the other one.

Big mistake.

As soon as I finished reading about bedtime hugs for forest creatures, she started. "Want find sheep book!" And the tears. I thought she'd be happy if I just told her the rhymes.

Um, no. If looks could kill, I'd be a pile of ashes. She wailed and flew off the bed in tears. She really loves that book!

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Sad.

Emma at age six

Something has happened that I honestly didn't think would happen. The teenager stage of "My mom is an idiot and I can't believe I have to coexist with her" has been reached. We've always had such a great relationship that I just assumed hoped that would continue.

Apparently, I've fallen out of favor.

Sure, there are moments when she talks to me normally. But an increasing percentage of time she ignores me, or answers me with a tone of derision. I get the huffs, the eyerolls, the attitude for as little as saying dinner is ready. Heaven forbid I should enforce a long-established rule. You'd think I was an evil dictator.

She won't even return a hug anymore. If I get close enough to give her a hug, she just stands there. Nothing. Maybe if I'm lucky a half-hearted pat with one arm, but that's it. Forget our talks of the past, when she'd confide in me or tell me about her friends. Those days seem to be over, too.

And it breaks my heart. I miss my daughter.

Day 18

I am thankful that my husband successfully took two stink bugs outside without any incident.

However, I am NOT thankful for the one that was hiding and apparently I squished.

Ew.

Day 17

Sophie and I made a cake today.
I'm thankful for time spent together.

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Day 16

Chats on the morning drive to school.

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Day 15

I'm thankful for washable markers & patient pets.

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Day 14

I'm thankful for playtime.

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Day 13

Reading is my addiction. A good book is like a drug - when I force myself to put it down, I still think about it, wondering what happens next, forcing myself to wait until an appropriate time to read more. More than once I've been awake almost all night because I just couldn't sleep until I've finished a particularly good book.

I am thankful for free Kindle books on Amazon. The photo is my count as of last night. I also remove books as I finish them, so you can imagine how many I've downloaded!

I'm in book heaven.

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Day 12

Yes, I'm thankful for Curious George. Sometimes, he is necessary for a little sanity.

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Day 11

I'm thankful for health.
http://www.buddysrace.org/home


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Day 10

Sleepy baby snuggles


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Day 9

I'm thankful for transportation. Gasoline. The ability to go to work, visit family, go on outings. Not everyone has that luxury.

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Day 8

I'm thankful for pets. These are our dogs. Tucker is on the left, Daisy on the right. They are cuddly, happy, and a joy to own. Also, they are testaments to the adage "Every kid should own a dog."
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Day 7

Music.
I am so grateful for music to get me through the paperwork portion of my job. Sitting still and doing a repetitive task is torturous for me! But putting my iPod on shuffle and closing my door helps get me through.

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Day 6

I'm thankful for the courage and sacrifice of generations before me.

Day 5

I'm thankful for my husband.
He's a wonderful husband and father. Every day I'm happy we are together.

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Day 4

Today, I'm thankful for our zoo membership. Sophie & I visited the zoo this afternoon and had a great time. We weren't in a hurry, and took the time for her to play in the kids' areas and enjoy herself. Most of the animals were out & active, too.

We're both tired now, but it was a great day.

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Day 3

Day 3: I'm thankful for our community. I love our town. It's not very big, but not tiny. We have a beautiful lake and great parks. The people are friendly and supportive of each other.

Today, our vet hosted a Fall Festival at her office. There was food, face painting, balloon animals, dogs in costumes, games, a petting zoo, and animals for adoption. (For the record, I used great restraint. We are still a two-dog family.) Sophie had such a good time, especially with the chickens in the petting zoo. I am so glad we went.

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Day 2

Day 2: I'm thankful for my daughters. I know this photo is blurry, but I still love it. I didn't even take it - I found it in my phone's camera roll. The fact that this was not a posed picture makes me love it even more. I love the love my girls have for each other.

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30 days of gratitude

I'm seeing lots of these 30 days of gratitude posts on Facebook. I decided to do it as a photo a day challenge. Enjoy!



Day 1: Coffee
I never was a coffee drinker, until we became a family of 4. Now I have it every morning. Yum.

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